J.P. Parise played nine seasons for the Minnesota North Stars. The most he was paid was in 1978-79 and 1979-80, when he received $100,000 each season.

I mentioned to J.P. on Wednesday morning, July 4, after son Zach agreed to a contract worth almost $100 million with the Wild, that Zach, 27, will make more in a week than his father did in a whole season.

“Two hours,” J.P. said with a laugh.

“For me, it’s beyond comprehension, I guess. I’m an old guy (70). I’m from the old school. I don’t think like that.”

J.P., who lives in Prior Lake with wife Donna, said he didn’t have much input in his son’s decision to choose the hometown Wild over other teams salivating for the services of Zach, who is leaving the New Jersey Devils as a free agent.

“Not really,” J.P. said. “The only thing I said is, ‘Zach, it’s not about tomorrow or today. You’ve got to look at the big picture here. How will (the Wild) be in a year or two? Will they keep progressing and getting better so that they have a chance to challenge for the (Stanley) Cup?’

“So Zach did all kinds of research on that and was very, very satisfied with the status of the Wild’s organization, the prospects and all that. He’s looking at the big picture.”

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